What is an MRSL?
An MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List) is a list of chemical substances which can potentially be found in some raw materials and are subject to a usage ban. An MRSL establishes acceptable concentration limits for these substances.
There should be no intentional use of a MRSL listed substance in commercially available chemical formulations nor in those from earlier stages of chemical synthesis.
Why do we need an MRSL?
The current restricted chemical regulations for finished products are extensive. However, in spite of this, compliance to finished product regulations in multiple jurisdictions could still allow for the use of hazardous chemistry upstream. It is for this reason that NGO’s such as Greenpeace have pressured brands into ‘detoxing’ their supply chains and making public commitments around the removal of certain chemicals. This has created a major shift in attitude around the way chemicals are managed throughout supply chain.
What is the ZDHC MRSL?
ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) is an organisation dedicated to eliminating hazardous chemicals, and implementing sustainable chemicals in the leather, textile and synthetics sectors.
ZDHC have created a multi-stakeholder programme which is supported by brands, retailers, and manufacturers around the world with the aim of implementing responsible chemical management.
The ZDHC MRSL is a list of restricted substances that has been developed by ZDHC and is commonly used as a standardised checklist of substances to test against.
Why carry out MRSL Testing?
MRSL testing provides an indication of compliance of chemical formulations to a specified MRSL, which normally occurs further upstream in the supply chain at the raw material input stage.
Chemical companies and manufacturers of raw materials would normally carry out MRSL testing to the ZDHC MRSL or to customer-specified MRSLs.
As MRSL testing takes place further upstream in the supply chain, it helps to prevent harmful chemicals from entering raw materials and consumer products. By carrying out MRSL testing, your business is taking a vital step towards responsible chemical management.
What is the difference between an MRSL and RSL?
Both an MRSL and an RSL are lists of restricted substances, however, there are several differences between their content and when they need to be used for chemical compliance:
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MRSL – Manufacturing Restricted Substance List
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RSL – Restricted Substance List
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Applies to the testing of chemical formulations.
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Applies to the testing of materials and finished products.
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Helps to prevent harmful levels of chemicals from entering the supply chain.
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Protects consumers and end-users of materials and products from harmful levels of chemicals.
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Used to regulate the safety of chemical formulations.
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Used for product safety and chemical compliance.
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The ZDHC MRSL is often used as an industry benchmark, however, companies can develop and use their own MRSLs.
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Brands and retailers often develop their own RSLs however companies who are Eurofins BLC Members can use Eurofins | BLC’s RSL.
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Restricted substance limits set much higher in MRSLs than in RSLs as the limits are applied to chemical formulations.
Chemicals formulations used in manufacturing and processing contain much more concentrated levels of chemicals, which become diluted during their use in wet processing.
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Restricted substance limits are lower in RSLs than in MRSLs as they only apply to the chemical content of finished products.
RSL limits can also vary and are driven by legislation, eco-labels, and brand/retailer decisions (which may go beyond compliance).
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Does the publication of the MRSL replace the need for RSL?
No. RSLs remain extremely important tools for brands and retailers to ensure that they are providing a product that is fit for the indented user and they make an important commitment to stakeholders around their responsibility to consumer safety. Such commitments around restricted chemicals remain fundamental to product safety management and are extremely important to guard against potential consumer safety issues and brand integrity.
While there is some overlap between the MRSL and many brand’s RSLs, not all RSL listed substances feature in the MRSL. The MRSL is focused on the eliminating the intentional use of certain substances during manufacturing processes. There are many substances restricted at RSL level which do not need to be banned from intentional use but the limits in finished materials/product must be controlled in order to satisfy regulatory requirements.
Further information on RSLs and RSL testing.
Eurofins | BLC Members Can Access the MRSL FAQ Factsheet Online
If you are a Eurofins | BLC Member and require further information on MRSL, you can log in and access the MRSL FAQ factsheet on the Member Toolkits page.
Talk to a Chemical Expert about MRSL Testing
If your business is looking to carry out MRSL testing and would like advice on MRSL compliance or the next steps, contact our Eurofins | BLC chemical experts today on +44 (0) 1604 679 999 or email [email protected]